§ 2. Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland have been injured as a result of being assaulted with a knife or pointed article since 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton)In the period I January 1988 to 30 June 1991, 2,370 in-patient discharges were admitted as emergencies having been assaulted by a cutting or piercing instrument. Figures for persons dealt with as out-patient emergencies are not available.
§ Mr. MarshallIs not the Minister ashamed and horrified at those disgraceful and scandalous figures? Has he seen the excellent Glasgow Evening Times article of 20 November which highlights that serious problem in Scotland? When will he shake off his complacency and bring the law in Scotland in line with the law in England under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988? I have been communicating with the Minister since 1988 on that problem. Is not the simple truth that the Government do not give a damn about law and order and do not care about the safety of people in their homes and on the streets?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe are well aware of the facts in that connection and have substantially increased the capital allocations for police forces in Scotland by some £6 million this year, which is an enormous increase. We shall make certain that Strathclyde's bids are carefully considered before making a final allocation. I shall look into the point that the hon. Gentleman makes about an amendment to the law, but the existing penalties go up to life imprisonment for various forms of crime involving knives and the like. The Secretary of State's crime prevention committee is reviewing the position. If Strathclyde increased the number of police officers by 200 to the complement that it deserves, there would be a much stronger law and order policy there.
§ Mr. WilsonWe all know that there are crimes for which the penalties go up to life imprisonment, but that does not seem to cover the point raised so eloquently by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Mr. Marshall). Does the Minister accept that in Scotland, particularly west central Scotland, there is currently an epidemic of violent crime such as armed robbery and the carrying of offensive weapons, including knives? I endorse what my hon. Friend said about the excellent efforts of the Glasgow Evening Times in drawing the matter to our attention. It is astonishing that, when the facts were put to the Minister, he was unable to give the statistics on the number of offences involving knives and other weapons 843 with which stabbings can be carried out. Does the Minister also accept that far too many people in such communities are now living in fear of violent crime? In addition to the rhetoric of law and order, they want action in terms of policing which will enable people to leave their homes in the evening and not be curtailed by fear of violent crime.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe collect statistics on various crimes such as breach of the peace, vandalism, the carrying of offensive weapons, robbery, petty and serious assaults, attempted murder and murder. The Secretary of State's crime prevention committee is considering how information should be collected and will continue to do so. The hon. Member must remember that the Labour party strongly opposed the police powers of search, which we introduced and which have greatly helped to reduce the incidence of such crimes.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerHow many additional policemen have been provided in Scotland and how much extra money, in real terms, have the Government allocated to law and order since 1979? Will my hon. Friend confirm that, if the Government were to introduce proposals to toughen up sentencing policy—to impose stiffer sentences—we could look forward to Opposition Members agreeing with us for the first time?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonYes, indeed. It is important that the strongest penalties should be available. I mentioned the sentence of life imprisonment and the unlimited fines that are available for crimes involving knives. The number of police officers has increased enormously during the past 10 years. The important figure is the £6 million extra that will be allocated for capital equipment and buildings to assist police forces this year. The use of high technology will also be of great importance.